Paul Bley: Circles

Paul Bley's 1970 Synthesizer Show and 1972's Paul Bley and Scorpio are reissued jointly as Circles. Except for "Mr. Joy" from Synthesizer Show, all of the songs from these unconventional albums are presented here, featuring Bley's electronic experiments of the day. While the first half of the compilation sounds slightly dated at times, even humorous to modern ears, the second half is a better gauge of the unique advancements made by Bley in the '70s. No doubt, Bley was ahead of the electronic music curve when these albums were originally released in the heydays of fusion. In fact, many of the sounds heard on this compilation seemed to have guided not only jazz but the sounds of future film scores and video games of the late '70s and early '80s.

"The Archangel," the opening track on this compilation, is clearly a precursor to the high-pitched synthesized sounds heard on the Scarface soundtrack. "Nothing Ever Was, Anyway" has an eerie combination of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda and the droid language of Star Wars ' R2D2. Still acclimating himself with the quirks of the early ARP synthesizers, Bley's solo spaces on the first-half of Circles are often experimental and rigid. On "Parks," for example, he has space and freedom to match new sounds with new patterns. Instead, he stumbles upon a basic blues riff that does little to excite the senses or define the synthesizer. This new instrument seemed not yet ready for improvisations.

By the second half of the compilation, Paul Bley and Scorpio, the synthesizer is more of a delightful side dish than the forced main course of Synthesizer Show. Tracks like "El Cordobes," "King Korn," and the truly out-there finale, "Ictus," move with a synthesized swagger that is less rigid electronics and more free flowing jazz.

The difference between the first and second album are also highlighted by the role of rhythm on each album. While Synthesizer Show featured different rhythm sections, the team of Dave Holland and Barry Altschul is present throughout Paul Bley and Scorpio. Their partnership with Bley on this album was more engrossing than any on the first set, providing better definitions of these new sounds and textures. The slow burn of "Syndrome" and "Gesture Without a Plot," for example, seem only possible when all the participants respond to a common goal with equal, deliberate vigor. Bley's wives, Carla Bley (first) and Annette Peacock (second), whose compositions are featured throughout this set, also appear on this compilation as vital elements to this new music.

I love jazz because it rewards careful listening. Jazz can be as deep and complicated and deep as classical music, but with a sense of modernity and FUN. It swings!
My parents listened to jazz a little bit

I love jazz because it rewards careful listening. Jazz can be as deep and complicated and deep as classical music, but with a sense of modernity and FUN. It swings!
My parents listened to jazz a little bit. Then in high school I got a crush on my best friend's older brother, who was a huge jazz fan. He turned me on to Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (which was also the first album I ever bought) and the rest is history. I've met many musicians. It's a joy to live in NYC where there is such a vital community and lots of interaction between players and audience.
The best show I ever attended was... God, there have been so many great ones. My absolute favorite might be the John Lurie tribute concert at the Town Hall. Was it 2013 or 2014? I've been a huge Lounge Lizards fan since the '90s, and many of my favorite local musicians are graduates of that band. It was a joy to see so many of them come out and show their love for John Lurie. Even though he doesn't play sax anymore, he is still a presence. There was so much LOVE in that show. And since the Lounge Lizards don't perform anymore, it was a treat to hear their music live again.
My advice to new listeners... JUST KEEP LISTENING. If you're used to repetition and easy hooks of rock or pop music, you might find it challenging at first to float along with the unpredictability of jazz. But the rewards are worth it! You will learn to listen actively, not passively, and as you tune your mind into every note, texture, and harmony, you'll begin to listen to music in a new and different way. At the best live shows, it's almost a meditative experience for me. My mind just trips out on the music. It's pure bliss, even if the music is abrasive or
challenging.
Also, don't be afraid to LISTEN TO ARTIST YOU'VE NEVER HEARS OF BEFORE. The greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, etc. are famous for a reason. Their music stands the test of time. But there are so many young artist pushing the boundaries and creating their individual style. You might not love every show or album you listen to, but you'll discover so much. Jazz is not a museum piece--it's a living, breathing art form with almost infinite possibilities.
Finally, if you love the music, PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMY. Buy some new CDs instead of streaming everything. Go to live shows and pay the ticket price. Even if it's donation only and you can sneak in for free, remember that most of these artists have years of training and have devoted themselves to an obscure art form out of pure love. Playing music is their job. You get paid for your job, and musicians deserve to get paid too.